Alumni Spotlight: Caren Welborne, Master’s in Drug Development Graduate

UC MS Drug Development Alumnus Working in Project Management

Caren Welborne is the Director of Project Management at dMed-Clinipace, a clinical research organization based in North Carolina. She is responsible for all aspects of her department, including quality and performance, budget, staff resourcing and selection, and support of study deliverables.

Caren recently shared her thoughts about her career and experience with the University of Cincinnati Drug Development Program. In addition, she provided her perspective on how the program helped her better understand the drug development industry.

Q: What motivated you to seek a graduate degree?

The opportunity for a scholarship to the MS Pharm Sci in Drug Development was presented to me via my employer at the time, Kendle International, a Contract Research Organization. I applied without any idea that I might be selected for the program.

Q: What is a favorite memory or a proud moment you had during the MSDD program?

Graduation is a great memory.   My thesis advisor, Kevin Skare, Ph.D., performed the hooding for me. That was such a special part of the graduation ceremony.

Q: Was there a particular course you enjoyed?

The Product Development course taught by Seema Iyer, Ph.D., was interesting. I believe in that course, we took a “field trip” to the P&G labs and discussed all the research on packaging and stability. The trip was a look at the industry I had never fully considered.

Q: Was there a course you found challenging? Why?

Ironically, the Project Management course taught by David Tonucci, Ph.D., comes to mind. I recall several classes where we reviewed the Microsoft Office Project program and how it can be used to manage a clinical trial. Since there are many moving parts to a clinical project and equally the same number of moving parts to a timeline in MS Project involving predecessors and constraints, I found it challenging to follow.

Q: How has the MSDD degree helped you in your career?

The MSDD gave me a look at the totality of the life of a molecule. With my career centered in the CRO, I really only was exposed to a compound one study at a time. I found the depth of learning around compound identification and preclinical testing enlightening. It has allowed me to further understand the reason for such a deep commitment from sponsor companies.

Q: Who would you recommend this program to?

Anyone who is going to pursue a career in clinical trial operations should seriously consider this program.

Q: Do you have any advice for future students looking into the MSDD program?

You are on the verge of a detailed study of an exciting and evolving industry.

Learn More About the Drug Development Programs with UC Online

The Drug Development program from the University of Cincinnati James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy is truly flexible and fully online. Accelerate your career while gaining a clearer vision of drug development for all phases of research from regulatory, preclinical to clinical, and beyond with a program built for busy working professionals in the field.

Learn More about the Drug Development program with UC Online